Former Unionist politician denies being racist after tweet about Leo Varadkar

The peer, who is no longer a member of the UUP, acknowledged his remark about Leo Varadkar had caused "upset and misunderstanding" so he was withdrawing it.

Mr Varadkar was born in Ireland. His father is from India and mother from Ireland.

Mr Taylor, 79, stirred controversy in a tweet on Thursday evening as he commented on a political story involving Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney.

He wrote: "Simon Coveney is stirring things up. Very dangerous non statesman like role! Clearly hoping to undermine the Indian."

The tweet was met with condemnation on social media.

Mr Taylor later tweeted: "In Twitter one is restricted to a limited number of words and so for shorthand I used the term Indian for the new PM in Dublin.

"This has caused upset and misunderstanding and so I withdraw it. I am no way racist and accept that Varadkar is 100 percent Irish Citizen."

In Twitter one is restricted to a limited number of words and so for shorthand I used the term Indian for the new PM in Dublin. This has caused upset and misunderstanding and so I withdraw it. I am no way racist and accept that Varadkar is 100 percent Irish Citizen.

A former UUP MP has come under fire for tweets made earlier this evening in which he referred to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar as 'the Indian'.

Responding to reports that Simon Coveney would like to see a united Ireland in his political lifetime, John Taylor said: "Simon Coveney is stirring things up . Very dangerous non statesman like role! Clearly hoping to undermine the Indian"

Simon Coveney is stirring things up . Very dangerous non statesman like role! Clearly hoping to undermine the Indian

Actually I was referring to the new PM but, not knowing how to spell his name, I knew he had an Indian name and thus referred to an Indian. I now understand that although he has an Indian name he is 100 per cent Irish.

Independent TD Mattie McGrath has been accused of misogyny after saying that the abortion debate isn't over until the fat lady sings, before quipping "and I'm not talking about the chairperson of the Committee or anyone like that".